Existence 01 - Existence

was immediately released from her icy grip. I fought to find the surface of the water and draw air into my burning lungs.
    “ NO! I said NO! I made this choice and I broke this rule but it was mine to break. I have let your interference go unpunished long enough. This ends now.”
    I wanted to open my eyes and see him. I could hear him but the salt water stinging my eyes was making it impossible. Another wave crashed over me and I began kicking frantically as water filled my unprepared nose. Warm arms encircled my waist and I clung to them knowing they belonged to him. I was safe now. My head broke the surface and I began to choke on the salt water.
    “Here, let me.” Dank wiped my eyes with a cool cloth and the stinging disappeared as did my coughing. It was as if I’d never been forced under cold sea waves. Finally I could see Dank’s face. He was holding me again.
    “Why, Pagan?” He closed his eyes and touched his forehead to mine and took a deep breath. “Why? You knew she was still stalking you. You felt her. Why did you come out here alone? Did you want to find her? Did you think facing her alone was the answer?”
    I shook my head and stared up into his eyes so close to mine. “No, I just wanted to get away. I needed to think. Watching you….” I stopped before saying any more.
    A sad smile touched his mouth. “All she could do was attempt to kill you. In order for you to truly face death, Death would have had to come and take you. That wasn’t going to happen.” He stopped and took in a ragged breath before touching his lips to my head. His lips moved to my cheek before lingering over my mouth. “As much as I want to kiss you, I can’t.” He let out a soft chuckle. “You frustrating girl. You’re like no other soul I’ve ever known.” I touched his face and leaned forward to touch my lips to his but he pulled back and shook his head. “No,” he whispered, “Don’t. I can’t. You’re too special. My desire for you overpowers what I know is best for you. I can’t risk that again.”
    “Don’t leave me,” I begged.
    He touched my lips with his fingertip. “I won’t. At least not tonight.”

Chapter Twelve
    “What did you do all weekend? Leif said you hadn’t felt well after the concert. I thought I would hear something from you. But I got nothing, nada. Cold Soul was rocking awesome. You should have stayed afterward. We met the band, well except for their lead singer, Dank. He left earlier or something. I didn’t care, it was amazing! I could have kissed Daddy’s face for that one.” Miranda hooked her arm in mine as she babbled on. I scanned the hall, needing to see Dank somewhere in the sea of faces. “Who’re you looking for?” There was a touch of interest in Miranda’s voice. Dank was nowhere in the crowd, however, Kendra was and she was flirting openly with Justin. That seemed strange.
    “Have you seen Dank this morning?” I asked, looking at Miranda and praying she didn’t read any more into my question.
    Her forehead wrinkled in a frown. “Dank as in Dank Walker, the lead singer of Cold Soul?”
    I nodded and scanned the lockers. “Yes, Dank,” I repeated. The confused frown on Miranda’s face triggered an alarm bell in my head.
    “Um, are you taking those pain meds again, sweetie? Why would the lead singer of Cold Soul be here?”
    Something was very wrong. Panic swelled in my chest.
    “Good morning,” Leif said as he walked up to me and slipped his arm around my shoulders.
    Miranda glanced up at him with a worried smile. “Morning, Leif. It’s so sweet that you go get all her books the minute you two arrive. Would you think of giving Wyatt some pointers?”
    “No way.” Leif chuckled and squeezed my shoulders gently. Normally having him close helped me when I was on the verge of panic. However, right now I needed to know where Dank was and why Miranda didn’t seem to know what I was talking about.
    I glanced up at Leif. “Have you seen Dank?” The same confused frown came over his face.
    “Who?” he asked, equally confused.
    “She asked me the same thing. I’m thinking she might have had to take some pain meds again this morning. Are you still hurting? Does your mom know? ‘Cause, girl, you are a trippin’ on something if you think that Dank Walker is at our school.” Miranda and Leif were both looking at me as if I was a need for concern. I glanced over at Kendra, who was draped around Justin.
    “Is Kendra dating Justin now?” I